Bob Mariucci

1983 U.P. Champions, Iron Mountain Mountaineers wrestling team.The son of legendary U.P. wrestling pioneer Ray Mariucci, Bob Mariucci followed in his father’s footsteps by donning the singlet and taking the sport to a new level during his high school years at Iron Mountain (1981-1984). He was a four-time U.P. champion for his weight class and was only the second athlete to ever achieve that record. He won each of those titles in different weight classes: 112 (1981), 126 (1982), 145 (1983) and 155 (1984). During his high school career, he tallied a 147-16-1 ledger.

Mariucci was also valedictorian of his 1984 graduating class. His dedication to both academics and athletics led him begin named Scholastic Wrestling News All-Ameri­can in 1983. In addition to his official Michigan high school career, he was the national AAU Junior Olympic freestyle champion in 1982 and captured the same title in Michigan and Wisconsin competitions in 1982 and 1983.

In addition to his wrestling and academic prowess, Mari­ucci was an excellent football player, as was his older brother Steve, who was All-American at Northern Michi­gan University. Bob would go to play football and wrestle for NMU and was named the football team's top receiver both in 1987 and 1988.

Mariucci and his coaches celebrate his individual title victories in 1982 and 1984.

Images courtesy of Bob Mariucci.

Mariucci and his coaches celebrate his individual title victories in 1982 and 1984.